Psalm 1:1-90:4

4Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

5He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

7I will proclaim the LORD ’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.

8Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 12Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. 8From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

6Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. 8In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

2Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

3In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

4For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.

7But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.

10Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

11But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

7My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.

9The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. 10All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

3LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—

5then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

6Arise, LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.

8Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.

10My shield Or sovereign is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

12If he does not relent, he Or If anyone does not repent, / God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.

13He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.

14Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.

15Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.

2Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

4what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?

6You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their Or made him ruler…; / …his feet:

4For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.

5You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

11Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.

3He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD .

4In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

7His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

15Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out.

16The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

17You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

3When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

4The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.

6And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text earth refined seven times. 8who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

2How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

Psalm 14 1For the director of music. Of David. The fool The Hebrew words rendered fool in Psalms denote one who is morally deficient. says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

3All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD . 7Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 15 1A psalm of David. LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?

3whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;

4who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD ; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;

Psalm 16 1A miktam Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.

3I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”

5LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.

6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

8I keep my eyes always on the LORD . With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 11You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

2Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

6I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

8Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

14By your hand save me from such people, LORD, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones. 15As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

8Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.

9He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.

12Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

15The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

17He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.

20The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

23I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.

27You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

29With your help I can advance against a troop Or can run through a barricade ; with my God I can scale a wall.

30As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD ’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

33He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.

34He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

40You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.

41They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but he did not answer.

44foreigners cower before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.

46The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!

47He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me,

5It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

Psalm 20In Hebrew texts 20:1-9 is numbered 20:2-10. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

4May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

6Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.

6Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

8Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. 13Be exalted in your strength, LORD ; we will sing and praise your might.

2My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Or night, and am not silent

5To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.

7All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.

8“He trusts in the LORD,” they say, “let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”

10From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.

17All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.

18They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

20Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.

23You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

Psalm 23 1A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, Or the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

3Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place?

5They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior.

7Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

4Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

5Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

6Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

7Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.

12Who, then, are those who fear the LORD ? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. Or ways he chooses

14The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

15My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

20Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 22Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

Psalm 26 1Of David. Vindicate me, LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD and have not faltered.

9Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty,

11I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me. 12My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the LORD .

Psalm 27 1Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

6Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD .

7Hear my voice when I call, LORD ; be merciful to me and answer me.

8My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.

13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

8The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Psalm 29 1A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

7The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.

8The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

2LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.

4Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.

7LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain That is, Mount Zion stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

8To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:

10Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.”

Psalm 31In Hebrew texts 31:1-24 is numbered 31:2-25. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

2Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

5Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

9Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.

11Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me.

12I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.

16Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

17Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead.

18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

21Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.

22In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.

2Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.

5Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD .” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

6By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7He gathers the waters of the sea into jars Or sea as into a heap ; he puts the deep into storehouses.

10The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

15he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

17A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

20We wait in hope for the LORD ; he is our help and our shield.

2I will glory in the LORD ; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

9Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

19The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

21Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 35 1Of David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

4May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.

6may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

8may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

10My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, LORD ? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

11Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.

18I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.

19Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

21They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”

23Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.

24Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. 28My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.

2In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.

4Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.

8They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

11May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

5Commit your way to the LORD ; trust in him and he will do this:

8Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

12The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;

13but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

14The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;

17for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18The blameless spend their days under the LORD ’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.

20But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD ’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

22those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.

25I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

27Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

33but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

35I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

36but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

4My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

6I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.

8I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

12Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.

14I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.

16For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”

18I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

21LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. 22Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.

2So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;

3my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

4“Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

5You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.

6“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.

7“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

8Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.

10Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

12“Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. 13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”

Psalm 40In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18. 1For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. I waited patiently for the LORD ; he turned to me and heard my cry.

2He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

4Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Or to lies

5Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

10I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

15May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

3The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

6When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.

11I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.

5Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

7Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

10My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 43In many Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 and 43 constitute one psalm. 1Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.

3Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

3It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.

5Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.

12You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.

17All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant.

19But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness.

22Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

Psalm 45In Hebrew texts 45:1-17 is numbered 45:2-18. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. Title: Probably a literary or musical term A wedding song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

9Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

11Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.

12The city of Tyre will come with a gift, Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts people of wealth will seek your favor.

13All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.

5God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

9He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields Or chariots with fire.

Psalm 48In Hebrew texts 48:1-14 is numbered 48:2-15. 1A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

2Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon Zaphon was the most sacred mountain of the Canaanites. is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.

3God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.

4When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,

11Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.

13consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. 14For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Psalm 49In Hebrew texts 49:1-20 is numbered 49:2-21. 1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world,

5Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—

7No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—

10For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.

12People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.

13This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 15.

16Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;

17for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.

18Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper—

5“Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice. With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text for God himself is judge The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

7“Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God.

8I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

12If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

15and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

16But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?

19You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.

20You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.

21When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly Or thought the ‘I am’ was like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.

22“Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

18May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.

6The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying, 9For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

4Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God.

3Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

6I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good. 7You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Psalm 55In Hebrew texts 55:1-23 is numbered 55:2-24. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

13But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,

14with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.

19God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.

21His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

22Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 56In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.

3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

7Because of their wickedness do not Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not. let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin — are they not in your record?

10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise—

Psalm 57In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When he had fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

2I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

3He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6. God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

7My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

9I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

5that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.

6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions!

8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun. 11Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Psalm 59In Hebrew texts 59:1-17 is numbered 59:2-18. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.

4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!

9You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,

10my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

12For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,

14They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

Psalm 60In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia and Aram Zobah, Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us!

7Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.

9Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

11Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. 12With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

3For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

3How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

9Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. 12and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

Psalm 63In Hebrew texts 63:1-11 is numbered 63:2-12. 1A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

3Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

4I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

10They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

2Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers.

4They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear.

5They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it Or us ?”

7But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down.

8He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

7who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

8The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

11You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. 13The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

2Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.

5Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!

6He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot— come, let us rejoice in him.

11You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.

2so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

4May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

5May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

2May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.

3But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

14When the Almighty Hebrew Shaddai scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.

15Mount Bashan, majestic mountain, Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,

16why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?

17The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary. Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text Lord is among them at Sinai in holiness

27There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

28Summon your power, God Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts Your God has summoned power for you ; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.

30Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

34Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens.

2I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

4Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

5You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.

7For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

10When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

12Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

13But I pray to you, LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

14Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

16Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

25May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

28May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

29But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me.

30I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

34Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

2May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

3May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame.

4But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

5For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

10For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

14As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

15My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.

18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

20Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

21You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.

5May he endure Septuagint; Hebrew You will be feared as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.

6May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.

8May he rule from sea to sea and from the River That is, the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

13He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.

17May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, Or will use his name in blessings (see Gen. 48:20) and they will call him blessed. 20This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

BOOK III Psalm 73 1A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

4They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text struggles at their death; / their bodies are healthy

9Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

12This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

15If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply

21When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

25Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

12But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.

13It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

18Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.

22Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long.

3When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

7It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. 10who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”

7It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?

8From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet—

9when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land.

10Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. Or Surely the wrath of mankind brings you praise, / and with the remainder of wrath you arm yourself

3I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 9 and 15.

5I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;

6I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

7“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?

16The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.

19Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. 20You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 78 1A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of Asaph. My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

5He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,

8They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

11They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.

13He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall.

19They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?

20True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”

21When the LORD heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,

23Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens;

24he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.

25Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.

26He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power made the south wind blow.

27He rained meat down on them like dust, birds like sand on the seashore.

28He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents.

31God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.

32In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

38Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the wasteland!

44He turned their river into blood; they could not drink from their streams.

46He gave their crops to the grasshopper, their produce to the locust.

55He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.

59When God heard them, he was furious; he rejected Israel completely.

66He beat back his enemies; he put them to everlasting shame.

69He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever.

71from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. 72And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Psalm 79 1A psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

4We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.

7for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.

8Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.

11May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.

2before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.

4How long, LORD God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?

5You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

9You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.

13Boars from the forest ravage it, and insects from the fields feed on it.

15the root your right hand has planted, the son Or branch you have raised up for yourself.

2Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.

6“I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.

10I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

15Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.

5“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

7But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.”

9Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,

11Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12who said, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.”

15so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm.

17May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. 18Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

3Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

9Look on our shield, Or sovereign O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

11For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Psalm 85In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14. 1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. You, LORD, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

3You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

5Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

8I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.

10Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

12The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

6Hear my prayer, LORD ; listen to my cry for mercy.

12I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 17Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

6The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.”

2May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

5I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.

17All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. 18You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend.

Psalm 89In Hebrew texts 89:1-52 is numbered 89:2-53. 1A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the LORD ’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

2I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

3You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant,

11The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.

20I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him.

23I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries.

24My faithful love will be with him, and through my name his horn Horn here symbolizes strength. will be exalted.

26He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.’

30“If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes,

37it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.”

46How long, LORD ? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire?

48Who can live and not see death, or who can escape the power of the grave?

51the taunts with which your enemies, LORD, have mocked, with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one. 52Praise be to the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.